Indian PM announces relief for Kerala landslide victims
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased in multiple landslides that hit Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday, following torrential rains.
Kerala health minister Veena George has confirmed the deaths of 11 people as the landslide struck the hilly areas near Meppadi early this morning.
A large number of people also remain trapped in the area where rescue workers are finidng it difficult to access.
"The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad," PM's office said in a statement. The PM also said that the injured would be given Rs 50,000.
PM Modi said that he spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there.
Rescue operations are currently underway to assist all those affected, he added.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also expressed anguish on the situation. Gandhi said that he spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured him that rescue operations are underway.
"I have requested that they ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts. I will speak to Union Ministers and request that to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.
According to WIMS Medical College in Wayanad, 48 people are under treatment and four bodies have been received by them so far.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has given directions to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad promptly following the devastating landslide. He announced that the entire government machinery is actively involved in the efforts, with Ministers overseeing and coordinating the operations.
250 members of the Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF, and Local Emergency Response Teams are carrying out the rescue operation in Wayanad's Chooralmala. An additional team of NDRF are en route, the KSDMA said.
Health Minister Veena George said that in the wake of the Wayanad landslide, the Health Department opened the district-level control room early in the morning. 8086010833 and 9656938689 can be contacted for emergency health services.
She said all hospitals, including Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Meppadi, and Mananthavadi hospitals, are ready. "In the night itself, all the health workers had arrived for service. More teams of health workers will be deployed in Wayanad," the Health Minister said.
Further details awaited.
(ANI)